Frequently Asked Questions About Alpine Animal Hospital

What do I do if I have an emergency when your office is closed?

In the case of an emergency after office hours, please visit the North Georgia Animal Emergency Hospital in the Cohutta Animal Clinic at 2517 Appalachian Highway Blue Ridge, GA 30513 or call them at (706) 632-7879. They are located Located in the Windmill Farms Shopping plaza adjacent to Cohutta Feed Store and Cadence Bank.

What forms of payment do you accept and when do I pay?

Payment is due at the time of services. We accept cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard, Discovercard, American Express, and CareCredit®. We can assist you in opening a CareCredit® account at the office.

How much do you charge?

Charges are often based upon procedures and medication rendered. Should it be necessary, we will be happy to provide an estimate of charges in advance

I’m new to the area, are you accepting new patients?

Yes, we always welcome new patients, and we will be happy to see your pet while you are visiting, on vacation, or relocating to the area.

I stopped by while on vacation a few years ago, but the office looks different, have things changed?

Dr. Van Horn has been practicing here for more than 30 years, however our office recently underwent a complete renovation inside and out and we have added several state of the art pieces of veterinary equipment including CO2 & Companion Therapy lasers.

When does my pet need to be vaccinated for rabies?

All pets over 3 months of age in NC are required to be vaccinated against rabies by NC State Statutes. The most recent research from NCSU School of Veterinary Medicine and other vaccine specialists across the US, recommends that the first rabies virus vaccine be given at 16 weeks of age. We are following this age recommendation.

How old does a pet need to be before neutering?

Pets may be neutered at 3 ½ months of age or older depending on their breed, environmental risks, and health. Ideally, all pets not of breeding quality should be neutered before they become sexually mature at 6 months of age for the majority of pets.

Should my pets’ teeth be cleaned regularly?

There is not a recommended schedule for dental prophylaxis in pets. Dental calculus (tartar) begins accumulating along the gum line of pets at varying rates. This accumulations needs to be removed and the teeth should be polished and sealed to prevent gum disease, heart disease, liver and kidney disease.

How old does my pet need to be to start flea and tick medications and heartworm preventative?

Puppies and kittens need to be at least 7 weeks of age to begin flea, tick, and heartworm preventions. Certain products require pets to be older.

Do you offer grooming services?

No, at this time we do not offer grooming services, but we do trim nails.

Do you board pets?

No, we do not board pets except in the case of a medical emergency. We will be happy to recommend local boarding facilities, just give us a call.

Do you handle livestock?

No, we specialize in small animals, cats, and dogs. We can recommend someone who specializes in livestock.